District of Columbia
D.C. jury convicts man for hate crime assault against gay couple
Attacker targeted male victims after seeing them holding hands
A D.C. Superior Court jury on Dec. 12 found a 42-year-old District man guilty of two counts of bias related assault against a gay male couple on Aug. 3 after seeing the men holding hands outside the 9:30 Club in the Shaw neighborhood.
Court records show the jury also found the attacker, Franklin Siate, guilty of the offense of attempted threats against a female employee of the 9:30 Club after the woman and witnesses said he threatened to rape and murder her a short time before he targeted the two gay men.
Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro, who presided over Siate’s trial, scheduled a sentencing hearing for Feb. 10.
Under D.C.’s hate crimes law, the judge has the authority to hand down a sentence one and a half times greater than the maximum sentence for the underlying charge of assault to which he was convicted in connection with the attack against the two gay men.
Matthew Graves, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia who serves as the city’s chief prosecutor, referred to Siate’s conviction and his office’s efforts to prosecute hate crimes at a Dec. 20 press briefing on D.C. crime trends for 2024 in response to a question from the Washington Blade about hate crimes.
“On the night of August 3, 2024, Siate verbally and then physically accosted multiple people outside the 9:30 Club,” a statement released by the U.S. Attorney’s office says. “First, he approached a line of patrons waiting to enter the concert venue for a Taylor Swift Dance Party and started yelling at them,” the statement says.
“He then turned his attention to a 9:30 Club employee and threatened to rape and murder her,” the statement continues. “He then saw two men walking by, holding hands, and acting affectionately towards one another.” The statement adds, “Siate followed them down the block saying, ‘Gays cannot hold hands in my city.’ You’re in my living room, yelling a slur at them.”
According to the statement, Siate then “picked up a large sign outside of another establishment, lifted it over his head, and charged toward the two men.” It says a D.C. police officer arrived just in time to stop Siate from physically hitting the men with the sign.
Under the D.C. criminal code, the actions by Siate against the two gay men and the woman employee of the 9:30 Club constitute a criminal offense of assault and threat of violence even though there was no reported physical contact.
Court records show that Siate was released on the day following his arrest on his own recognizance while awaiting trial. But the records show he was arrested on a new, unrelated charge on Aug. 31 for allegedly threatening a man with a knife and assaulting a police officer. The records show he has been held in jail since that time and will remain in custody until at least the time of his Feb. 10 sentencing hearing.
The Blade reached out to the couple who were victims in the incident. They requested to be identified only by their first names, Collin, 28, and his partner, Clayton, 29.
Collin said he and Clayton went to the 9:30 Club with the hope of buying tickets for the Taylor Swift Dance Party performance, but they quickly learned the tickets were sold out. He said the two men then began walking away from the 9:30 club when Siate saw then holding hands and began to harass them.
“He started off by saying gays can’t hold hands in D.C.,” Collin recounted. “And then he said gays can’t hold hands in my city,” according to Collin, who added, “And then he started following us. I told him to get away from us. He said, you’re in my living room and then he proceeded to call us ‘faggots’ twice.”
A short time later, as the couple were approaching a nearby ice cream shop called Coneacopia, Siate picked up a sign outside the shop and “started charging at us” with the two men fearing he was about to hit them with the sign, Collin told the Blade. At that time, a D.C. police officer arrived on the scene in his patrol car after Collin called 911 and waved at the officer as he approached the scene.
As the police officer arrived Siate “runs up to the police officer and tells the officer that we were harassing him and that we were throwing rocks at him,” Collin said. But after the officer took a full statement from Collin and Clayton, he put Siate in handcuffs, Collin said. He said after the first officer and other police officers who arrived on the scene and spoke with witnesses, they placed Siate under arrest.
According to Collin, “It came out to be a good evening after all the craziness.” He said 9:30 Club employees, who witnessed much of the interaction between Siate, and the two gay men unfold, told Collin and Clayton, “We’re so sorry this happened to you guys. You can come in,” allowing them to attend the Taylor Swift Dance Party show despite its sold-out status.
D.C. police records, meanwhile, show that as of Oct. 31 of this year, the most recent data available, the assault against Collin and Clayton outside the 9:30 Club was one of 40 anti-LGBTQ hate crimes reported for 2024.
The data shows that 22 of the reported incidents were based on the victim’s sexual orientation and 18 of the hate crime incidents were based on the victim’s gender identity.
District of Columbia
Curve magazine honors Washington Blade publisher
Lynne Brown named to 2026 Power List
Washington Blade Publisher Lynne Brown has been named to the 2026 Curve Power List celebrating LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary individuals in North America who are blazing trails in their chosen fields.
“From sports and entertainment icons to corporate leaders and lawmakers, these individuals are breaking barriers, challenging norms, and shaping the future,” Curve Foundation/Curve magazine said in announcing this year’s list, which includes ABC newscaster Robin Roberts, comedian/actress Hannah Einbinder, and singer/actress Renee Rapp, among others.
Brown has worked for the Washington Blade for nearly 40 years. She was named publisher in 2007 before becoming a co-owner in 2010.
“I am honored to be recognized by Curve magazine during Lesbian Visibility Week,” Brown said. “Receiving this Curve honor is twofold. I was an early subscriber to Curve. I enjoy the product and know its history. Its journalism, layout and humorous features have inspired me.
“As an owner/publisher, receiving recognition from a similar source acknowledges my work and efforts, with a sincerity I truly appreciate. Franco Stevens, the publisher of Curve, is a business person of duration, experience, and purpose. The fact that they are in the media business, and honoring me and my publication makes it a tiny bit sweeter.”
Nominations for the Curve Power List come from the community: peers, mentors, fans, and employers.
Curve explained the significance of the list in its announcement: “An annual, publicly nominated list of impactful LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary changemakers is crucial in current times to counter discrimination, legislative rollbacks, hostility, and the invisibility of queer women within mainstream and marginal spaces and endeavors. Such a list also fosters encouragement and solidarity, and elevates voices and achievements—from high-profile roles to under appreciated areas of life.”
District of Columbia
Judge rescinds stay-away order in Capital Pride anti-stalking case
Evidence hearing to determine if order should be reinstated against Darren Pasha
A D.C. Superior Court judge on April 17 rescinded an anti-stalking order he approved in February at the request of Capital Pride Alliance against local LGBTQ activist Darren Pasha.
In a ruling at a court status hearing, Judge Robert D. Okun agreed with defendant Darren Pasha’s stated concern that the initial order was too broad and did not specify who specifically he must stay at least 100 feet away from, as called for in the order.
Okun ruled on April 17 that the initial order, which he noted was oral rather than written, would be suspended until an evidentiary hearing takes place in which Capital Pride will need to present evidence justifying the need for such an order.
“I’m fine with scheduling a hearing at which the plaintiff can present evidence, and the defendant can present evidence,” Okun said. “But I’m not fine with just continuing this oral TRO [Temporary Restraining Order] that Mr. Pasha really doesn’t even have notice of. That seems unfair,” he said.
After asking both Pasha and Capital Pride Alliance Attorney Nick Harrison when they would be available for the evidence hearing, Okun set the date for April 29 at 11 a.m. in Superior Court.
The case began when Capital Pride Alliance, the D.C.-based LGBTQ group that organizes the city’s annual Pride events, filed a Civil Complaint on Oct. 27, 2025, against Pasha, accusing him of engaging in a year-long effort to harass, intimidate, and stalk Capital Pride’s staff, board members, and volunteers.
The complaint was accompanied by a separate motion seeking a restraining order, preliminary injunction, and anti-stalking order prohibiting Pasha from “any further contact, harassment, intimidation, or interference with the Plaintiff, its staff, board members, volunteers, and affiliates.”
In his initial ruling in February, Okun issued an order requiring Pasha to stay at least 100 feet away from Capital Pride staff, board members, and volunteers until the April 17 status hearing. He reduced the stay-away distance from the 200 yards requested by Capital Pride.
Pasha, who has so far represented himself in court without an attorney, has argued in multiple court filings and motions that the Capital Pride stalking allegations are untrue. In his initial 16-page response to the complaint, Pasha said it appears to be a form of retaliation against him for a dispute he has had with Capital Pride and its former board president, Ashley Smith, who has since resigned from the board.
“It is evident that the document is replete with false, misleading, and unsubstantiated assertions,” Pasha’s court response states.
At the April 17 hearing, Okun also ruled that, as standard procedure for civil complaints such as this one, he has ordered both parties to enter into court-supervised mediation to attempt to reach a settlement rather than go to trial.
In an earlier ruling Okun denied Pasha’s request for a jury trial, stating that civil cases such as this must undergo a trial with the judge determining the verdict under existing civil court statutes.
The April 17 court hearing was held in a courtroom at the courthouse, but as allowed under current court rules, Capital Pride attorney Harrison and Capital Pride official June Crenshaw participated virtually through a video connection. Pasha attended the hearing in the courtroom.
“This matter is proceeding through the court in the normal course,” Capital Pride released in a statement. “We look forward to presenting the relevant evidence at the scheduled hearing. Capital Pride Alliance remains committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for our staff, volunteers, and community, and to addressing concerns through appropriate channels.”
“This is clearly a case of retaliation,” Pasha told the Blade after the hearing. “Today the judge removed the stay-away order and asked Capital Pride Alliance to present enough evidence and examples to see if a stay-away order should be granted,” he said. “Because Pride is coming up in June, we need to see where this is going.”
District of Columbia
Gay D.C. police lieutenant arrested on child porn charges
Matthew Mahl once served as head of LGBT Liaison Unit
D.C. police announced on April 14 that they have placed one of their lieutenants, Matthew Mahl, on administrative leave and revoked his police powers after receiving information that he was arrested in Maryland one day earlier.
Although the initial D.C. police announcement doesn’t disclose the reason for the arrest it refers to a statement by the Harford County, Md. Sheriff’s Office that discloses Mahl has been charged with sexual solicitation of a minor and child porn solicitation.
“On Tuesday, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office contacted MPD’s Internal Affairs Division shortly after arresting Lieutenant Matthew Mahl,” the D.C. police statement says.
“The allegations in this case are extremely disturbing, and in direct contrast to the values of the Metropolitan Police Department,” the statement continues. “MPD’s Internal Affairs Division will investigate violations of MPD policy once the criminal investigation concludes,” it says.
“MPD is not involved in the criminal investigation and was not aware of the investigation until yesterday,” the statement adds.
Mahl served as acting supervisor of the MPD’s then Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit in 2013 when he held the rank of sergeant. D.C. police officials placed him on administrative leave and suspended his police powers that same year while investigating an undisclosed allegation.
A source familiar with the investigation said Mahl was cleared of any wrongdoing a short time later and resumed his police duties. Around the time he was promoted to lieutenant several years later Mahl took on the role as chairman of the D.C. Police Union, becoming the first known openly gay officer to hold that position.
NBC 4 reports that Mahl, 47, has served on the police force for 23 years and most recently was assigned to the department’s Special Operations Division.
Records related to Mahl’s arrest filed in Harford County District Court, show Sheriff’s Department investigators state in charging documents that he allegedly committed the offenses of Sexual Solicitation of a Minor and Child Porn Solicitation on Monday, April 13, one day before he was arrested on April 14.
The court records show he was held without bond during his first appearance in court on April 14. A decision on whether he would be released while awaiting trial or continue to be held without bond was scheduled to be determined during an April 15 bond hearing. The outcome of that hearing could not be immediately determined.
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